HC Deb 25 October 1971 vol 823 cc1219-20
28. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the purchase of foreign computers by British public authorities.

Mr. Corfield

No, Sir. I do not believe that would serve a useful purpose.

Mr. Golding

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at a time when redundancies are being declared at I.C.L. in North Staffordshire, the county council is contemplating buying a non-British computer? Will the right hon. Gentleman take action to try to persuade hospitals, universities, local authorities and others which are using public funds to buy British rather than American?

Mr. Corfield

I have been at great pains, as have my right hon. and hon. Friends, to make sure that the nationalised industries, local authorities and other public bodies are aware of the general Government policy, and they are encouraged to follow it. The hon. Gentleman will know that such bodies have a considerable degree of independence. I cannot force them to do this if they do not wish to do it. However, I.B.M. manufactures to a considerable extent in this country.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind also the fears of the British computer industry that the M.R.C.A. project is likely to seek its computer in America, and that this possi- bility is causing grave disquiet in many places?

Mr. Corfield

That is a matter for my right hon. and noble Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence. I will make sure that he takes note of my hon. Friend's remark.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the superiority of the American computer industries is to be found only in their public relations sections? Will not he suggest to British purchasers of computers that the British computer can compete on equal terms with any American product and that they should not take too much account of the Americans' public relations effort?

Mr. Corfield

I hope that the Government's clear support for I.C.L. goes a long way to meeting what the hon. Gentleman wants.